Multiple connector



Sept. 4, 1951 E. J. LAVANDER 'MULTIPLE CONNECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledDec. 4, 1948 INVENTIOR. BY Edward Jlauarz I" Sept. 4, 1951 E. J.LAVANDER MULTIPLE CONNECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 4, 1948INVENTOR. Edward J. Laucmder BY.

flak 4 6223555.

Patented Sept. 4, 1951 2,566,805 MULTIPLE CONNECTOR Edward J. Lavander,Chicago, 111., assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, of one-half toHenry Posner and one-half to Richard P.

Posner Application December 4, 1948, Serial No. 63,543

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a multiple connector and has as an object theprovision of a simple, inexpensive, improved device of that category.

According to this invention, contacts are mounted on sheets ofinsulating material, one or more of such contact-bearing sheets forminga jack assembly and an equal number of contactbearing sheets forming aplug assembly for in= sertion in the jack assembly. Preferably thecontacts are in the form of a strip of conducting material and each iswoven through a pair of slots in the insulating sheet. On one surface ofthe sheet there is thereby presented an uninterrupted portion of theconducting strip which forms the contact corresponding to thatparticular strip. since the strip will normally be somewhat rounded incontour where it passes through the two slits in the sheet, the contactsurface will inherently be bowed resiliently outwardly from the surfaceof the sheet. This results in a good contact and greatly reduces thedanger of failure of contact. In the multiple connectors constructed inaccordance with the prior art, failure of contact is a common fault.This is a source of considerable inconvenience since the location of thefaulty connection in an apparently completed circuit involves theapplication of testing apparatus to the various elements of the circuit.The virtual elimination of contact failure resulting from the use ofmultiple connectors constructed in accordance with this invention,accordingly represents a great saving in maintenance.

Two portions of each strip adjacent the contact surface appear on theopposite surface of the sheet; therefore, where a pair of contactbearingsheets are used in the plug assembly, it is desirable that a third,substantially uninterrupted sheet of insulating material be positionedbetween the two contact-bearing sheets in order to insulate the contactson one sheet from the contacts on the other sheet.

Accordingly, it is another object of this invention to provide animproved multiple connector in which good electrical connection betweencontacts is reliably maintained.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved multipleconnector in which relatively thin and resilient contacts are adequatelysupported by sheets of insulating material both in the plug assembly andin the jack assembly.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved multipleconnector in which the contacts are in such formas to be inherentlyresilient and in which at the same time the con- 2 tacts are sosupported as to be well protected against permanent deformation.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved multipleconnector having the advantages mentioned above while at thesame timecontaining a large number of well insulated contacts in a relativelysmall space.

This invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof,will best be understood by reference to the following description takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will bepointed out in the appended claims.

Referring more specifically to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a multiple connector constructed inaccordance with this invention showing the plug assembly inserted in thejack assembly;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same connector but showing the plugassembly withdrawn from the jack assembly;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along the line3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another multiple connector constructedin accordance with this invention and showing the plug assembly insertedin the jack assembly;

Fig. 5 is a similar view of the same connector showing the plug assemblywithdrawn from the jack assembly; and i Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional viewof the connector taken along the line $-ii of Fig. 5.

The multiple connector shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 provides a double setof contacts. The plug assembly ll includes two sheets of insulatingmaterial 12 having pairs of longitudinally ex- "tending laterally spacedslots l3. Througheach pair of slots is woven a contact strip i i in suchmanner that an uninterrupted central portion it of the contact stripappears on the outer susface of the sheet [2.

The conducting strip resists bending where it passes through slots Hwith the result that the contact portion bows resiliently outwardly fromsheet l2. This resiliency of the contact In is very desirable as itpermits a pressure contact between corresponding contacts whilepermittingsome leeway in mechanical spacing of the contacts.

One end of each conducting strip i4 extends outwardly of the plugassembly and has :a small opening I6 for convenient connection of aconducting lead therewith.

As is best seen in Fig. 3 portionsof the con- 56 ductingstrip [4 appearon the inner faceo'f sheet.

3 12. Where two contact-bearing sheets are employed in the plugassembly, as in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a third sheet of insulating material[1 is inserted between sheets l2 in order to insure electricalinsulation of the contacts mounted on one sheet from the contactsmounted on the other contact-bearing sheet. The three sheets are heldtogether by rivets or screws [8 or any suitable fasteners and aremounted on posts l9 having feet l9a for convenient handling or support.

The jack assembly 2| includes a pair of sheets of insulating material 22very similar to the sheets l2 in the plug assembly. Pairs oflongitudinally extending slots 23are arranged transversely to each otherso that conductor strips 24 can be woven through the slots and therebysecured to sheets 22.. tlons 25 of the strips are exposed on the innerfaces of sheets 22 and form the contacts for the jack assembly. Thesecontact portions 25 will be bowed resiliently inwardly fro-m plates 22for the same reason and for the same purpose as stated above in thedescription of the plu assembly. Contacts 25 are, of course, spacedlongitudinally so as to align with respective con-= tacts I5 01 plugmember II.

One end of each conductor strip extends outwardly from the jack assemblyand has a small opening 26 for convenient attachment of a conductinglead.

As in the case of the plug assembly, two end portions of the conductingstrips 24 are exposed on the outer surfaces of sheets 22. In order toprotect these portions of the strips from accidental contact with otherapparatus, an insulating sheet 21 is arranged adjacent and outwardly ofthe sheets 22.

Sheets 22 and sheets 21 are fastened to each other and to end plates 28by any suitable means.

In the embodiment shown, metal flanges 29 are fastened between plates 22and 21 by rivets or screws 29a, whereby plates 22 and 21 and flanges 29are secured together as a unit. Two tabs 29b, each forming a par-t offlange 29, extend through openings in end plate 28 and are twisted asplainly seen in Figs. 1 and 2 to secure flanges 29 and plates 22 and 2'!to end plate 28.

Bars 30 are arranged perpendicular to plates 21 and, therefore, serve asbeams to support the sheets against lateral displacement. This isdesirable, particularly when the connector is made of substantiallength, in order to prevent bowing of sheets 22 and to insure goodelectrical contact between respective plug and jack contacts near thecenter of the connector. Bars 39 pass through openings in end plates 28and are secured thereto by crimping the edge of the end plates to pinchbars 30 as seen in Figs. 1' and 2.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the spacing betweenthe sheets 22 is designed to permit the insertion of the plug assemblyll therebetween and that contacts 25 are longitudinally spaced tocorrespond with contacts [5 when the plug assembly is inserted in thejack assembly. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, ten circuitsare controlled by the one multiple connector. It is apparent that alarger number of circuits can be so controlled by lengthening theconnector and adding contacts.

In Fig. 2 it will be seen that the post [9 at one end of the plugassembly is made to extend a substantial distance above the upper edgesof sheets l2 and I1. This extension serves as a guide when slipping thejack assembly over the plus a sembly. w n inserting t Pl s Uninterruptedcentral por-.

sembly in the j ack assembly. The distance which the plug assembly canenter the jack assembly is limited by the engagement of the upper edgeof plates I2 with the upper portion of flanges 29. The spacing is, ofcourse, such that when this engagement is effected respective contacts 1and 25 are in alignment.

The spacing between facing edges of flanges 29 at one end of the jackassembly (the right-hand end in Figs. 1 and 2) is such that the extendedplug post l9 cannot pass therebetween. Accordingly, the plug and jackassemblies can be put into contacting or operative position only whilein the proper end-to-end relationship: the flanges 29 cooperating withthe elongated plug post l9 to index the two assemblies.

This multiple connector has numerous advantages over th'ose previouslyknown in the art. In the case of either assembly, the only exposedportions of the conductors are the contacts and the connecting tabs. Thecontacts in both assemblies are inherently resiliently bowed with theresult that good electrical contact can be obtained without resorting tometiculous spacing of the contacts. A good wiping contact is obtained asthe plug is inserted in the jack and there are no square edgesinterfering with'the insertion or the withdrawal of the plug assembly.Because of the simplicity of the connectorand its relatively smallnumber of parts, the connector is economical to manufacture and has aninherently durable design.

In Figs. 4, 5 and 6, a similar connector is shown which has only asingle set of pairs of contacts. The parts of these connectors have beengiven the same number designations as corresponding parts in Figs. 1, 2and 3 and; accordingly, it is believed to be unnecessary to discusscompletely the construction of this connector. The only materialdifference, other than the fact that there is only one set of pairs ofcontacts, lies in the end structure. End plates 28 are bent over to formflanges 28a. These flanges form the rear side of the jack and hold theplug assembly in position.

The connector shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 is useful where space is limitedin' one direction or where it is desired to mount the jack assemblyagainst a flat surface such as a panel board.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, it willbe understood, of course, that the invention is not limited theretosince many modifications may be made, and it is, therefore, contemplatedby the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall withinthe true spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to besecured by Letters Patent is:

1. A multiple connector comprising a plug assembly and a1jack assembly,said jack assembly comprising .a receptacle for said plug assembly, eachof said assemblies including a sheet of insulating material, a pluralityof elongated sheetlike contact members, each having an intermediateportion and end portions, said contact members extending through pairsof openings in said. sheet, said end portions of each of said membersbeing bent to extend along one surface of said sheet, and saidintermediate portion of each of said members extending alongside andapproximately parallel to the opposite surface of said sheet, and asecond sheet of insulating material substantially parallel to andclosely spaced with respect to said first-mentioned sheet and lyingalongside said one surface of said firstmentioned sheet to confine saidend portions of said contact elements.

2. A multiple connector comprising a plug assembly and a jack assembly,said jack assembly comprising a receptacle for said plug assembly, eachof said assemblies including a sheet of insulating material, a pluralityof elongated sheetlike contact members, each having an intermediateportion and end portions, said contact members extending through pairsof openings in said sheet, said end portions of each of said membersbeing bent to extend along one surface of said sheet, and saidintermediate portion of each of said members extending alongside andapproximately parallel to the opposite surface of said sheet, and asecond sheet of insulating material substantially parallel to andclosely spaced with respect to said first-mentioned sheet and lyingalongside said one surface of said firstmentioned sheet to confine saidend portions of said contact elements, said intermediate portion of eachsaid contact elements being spaced a short distance away from saidopposite surface of said first-mentioned sheet.

3. A multiple connector comprising a plug assembly and a jack assembly,said jack assembly comprising a receptacle for said plug assembly, eachof said assemblies including a sheet of insulating material. a pluralityof elongated sheetlike contact members, each having an intermediateportion and end portions, said contact members extending through pairsof openings in said sheet, said end portions of each of said membersbeing bent to extend along one surface of said sheet, and saidintermediate portion of each of said members extending alongside andapproximately parallel to the opposite surface of said sheet. and asecond sheet of insulating material substantially parallel to andclosely s aced with respect to said first-mentioned sheet and lyingalongside said one surface of said firstmentioned sheet to confine saidend portions of said contact elements, said intermediate portion of eachsaid contact elements being spaced a short distance away from saidopposite surface of said first-mentioned sheet, and said elements beingcomposed of resilient and flexible material.

4. A multiple connector comprising a plug assembly and a jack assembly,said plug assembly including a pair of substantially parallel andclosely-spaced sheets of insulating material having facing surfaces, aplurality of elongated sheetlike contact members, each having anintermediate portion and end portions, said contact members extendingthrough pairs of openings in said sheets, said end portions of each ofsaid elements being bent to extend along the facing surface of one ofsaid sheets, and said intermediate portion of each of said membersextending alongside and approximately parallel to the opposite or outersurface of said sheet, and a third substantially uninterrupted sheet ofinsulating material arranged between said two sheets, said jack assemblycomprising a receptacle for said plug assembly and including electricalcontacts spaced to engage said contact members of said plug assemblywhen said plug assembly is inserted in said jack assembly.

5. A multiple connector comprising a plug assembly and a jack assembly,said plug assembly including a pair of substantially parallel andclosely-spaced sheets of insulating material having facing surfaces, aplurality of elongated sheetlike contact members, each having anintermediate portion and end portions, said contact members extendingthrough pair of openings in said sheets, said end portions of each ofsaid elements being bent to extend along the facing surface of one ofsaid sheets, and said intermediate portion of each of said membersextending alongside and approximately parallel to the opposite or outersurface of said sheet,andathird substantially uninterrupted sheet ofinsulating material arranged between said two sheets, said jack assemblycomprising a receptacle for said plug assembly and including a pair ofspaced, substantially parallel sheets of insulating material, aplurality of contact members each having an intermediate portion and endportions, said contact members extending through pairs of openings insaid sheets, said intermediate portions of said members extendingalongside and approximately parallel to the inner or facing surfaces ofsaid jack assembly sheets, said end portions of said members being bentto extend along the opposite or outer surfaces of said jack assemblysheets, and a pair of substantially uninterrupted sheets of insulatingmaterial arranged substantially parallel to and closely spaced withrespect to said first-mentioned jack assembly sheets and lying alongsidesaid outer surfaces of said first-mentioned jack assembly sheets.

6. A multiple connector comprising a plug assembly and a jack assembly,said jack assembly comprising a receptacle for said plug assembly, eachof said assemblies including a sheet of insulating material, and aplurality of elongated sheetlike contact members, each having anintermediate portion and end portions, said contact members extendingthrough pairs of openings in said sheet, said end portions of each ofsaid members being bent to extend along one surface of said sheet, andsaid intermediate portion of each of said members extending along sideand approximately parallel to the opposite surface of said sheet, saidplug assembly also including a second sheet of insulating materialsubstantially parallel to and closely spaced with respect to saidfirst-mentioned sheet and lying alongside one surface of saidfirst-mentioned sheet, said jack assembly also including means forbracing said insulating sheet of said jack assembly, said meanspresenting a flat insulated surface arranged substantially parallel toand closely spaced with respect to said insulating sheet and lyingalongside said one surface of said firstmentioned sheet.

EDWARD J. LAVANDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,718,529 Coldwell June 25, 19292,157,428 Obszarny May 9, 1939 2,261,979 Domizi Nov. 11, 1941

